Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa appears to think Sheffield United are a bit too predictable ahead of their Yorkshire derby on Sunday.
The two rivals face each in the Premier League this weekend for the first time since 1994. Kick off at Bramall Lane is at 12pm and there is plenty to be excited about.
Leeds are back in the top flight for the first time in 16 years and are perhaps looking to emulate what the Blades achieved last season.
In their first campaign in the division in 12 years, Chris Wilder’s side finished ninth and won many plaudits. The system that has served them so well since Wilder took charge in League One in 2016 continued to have success.
Yet following two defeats and no goals in their first two league matches this term, does Bielsa think they might be a little inflexible?
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“Sheffield United set themselves up unusually, or uncommon, but they’re not the only team who play this way,” the Argentine said in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by Leeds Live.
“As a result, there are a lot of team who have looked at their style of play and tried to implement it.
“To add to that, they are very loyal to their style of play. They are a team very convinced of the way they have to play.”
Does Bielsa have a point ahead of Leeds test?
(Photo by Phil Noble – Pool/Getty Images)
It certainly hasn’t been the best of starts from the Blades in 2020/21. Their lack of goals is a concern, but it’s one that Wilder is proactively trying to rectify in the transfer market.
Whether they have become too predictable is debateable. Wilder has certainly hardly deviated from the 3-5-2 formation that has served him so well during four-and-a-half years in charge at Bramall Lane.
And with good reason. It has been the foundation for two promotions and an impressive first season back in the Premier League.
Wilder has evolved along the way as well, dropping the attacking midfielder that helped seal them a second-place finish in the Championship and going with a three-man midfield in the top flight.
It’s also difficult to judge them too much on the matches played so far. The opening six minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening day were certainly poor, as they conceded both goals in a 2-0 defeat.
Yet they rallied and looked solid enough against a team who have finished seventh the past two years.
At Aston Villa, they were down to 10 men after 12 minutes. Even then they more than matched their hosts and only conceded because of one lapse in concentration from a set piece.
More goals are needed, but it isn’t crisis time just yet.
